Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Creamy, crunchy, and slightly sweet, this cranberry pecan chicken salad is an easy way to turn cooked chicken into a satisfying meal. Juicy chicken is tossed with crisp celery, toasted pecans, and chewy dried cranberries in a creamy dressing with a little tang. It’s delicious in a sandwich, tucked into lettuce leaves, or served on its own.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
• ½ cup celery, finely chopped
• ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
• ¾ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Add the chopped chicken, dried cranberries, pecans, celery, and red onion to a large mixing bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, honey, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
3. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
4. Fold in the fresh parsley.
5. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add a little more lemon juice if you prefer a brighter flavor.
6. Refrigerate before serving so the flavors have time to come together.
7. Serve chilled over lettuce, in a sandwich or wrap, with crackers, or simply enjoy it straight from the bowl.

Helpful Tips

• Toast the pecans in a dry skillet for a few minutes for deeper flavor and extra crunch.
• Rotisserie chicken works especially well and makes this recipe quick.
• For a lighter salad, replace more of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
• Add diced apple or grapes for extra freshness and sweetness.
• If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the cranberries and honey.

Related Q&A

Can I make this chicken salad ahead of time?
Yes. It can be prepared ahead and kept refrigerated, making it convenient for lunches and quick meals.

Can I use leftover chicken?
Absolutely. This is a great recipe for leftover roasted, baked, or grilled chicken.

What can I serve with cranberry pecan chicken salad?
Try it with lettuce cups, whole-grain bread, crackers, cucumber slices, or a simple green salad.

Can I leave out the mayonnaise?
Yes. Use Greek yogurt as the main dressing, although the flavor will be slightly tangier.

Can I add cheese?
A little crumbled feta or shredded cheddar can be delicious with the cranberries and pecans.